President’s Perspective

A Bit of Zion History … 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1898 in Bridgeville as Zion Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul’s German Church. The founding members were primarily German Americans, and several descendants of those original families are members of the congregation today. These include Tom Erbrecht; Sarah Ali, Clara Hayes, Paul Hayes and Sandy Bryant (Schmidt family descendants); Jane Kozak, Mike Kozak and Judy Dames (Oelschlager family descendants), Janet, Jim, and Marion Oelschlager; and Carolyn Wible and family (Oelschlager family descendants). 

In its earliest days, the congregation met in a local business establishment (near Sarasnick’s Hardware) until they were able to construct their own church building. On Thanksgiving Day in 1900, the cornerstone was laid for the first church building on Prestley Road in Bridgeville (at what is now 347 Prestley Road, near the corner of Washington Ave and Prestley Road). 

The following year marked several important milestones. In June 1901, the congregation joined the Pittsburgh Synod, and the new church building was completed and dedicated on June 30, 1901. The dedication included a German-language service in the morning and an English-language service in the afternoon. At that time, the congregation had grown to approximately 200 communicant members. 

In 1945, after many years as a member of the Pittsburgh Synod, the congregation joined the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. 

Over the years, Zion has been served by many faithful and dedicated pastors. The longest-serving pastor was Pastor Dietrich, who led the congregation from 1957--1974. During his tenure in the 1960s, plans began for a new church building on farmland at the current location. A building committee was formed to design a structure that would reflect the bold and faithful identity of Zion and serve as a visible witness to the surrounding community. 

After years of prayer, planning, and fundraising, ground was broken in November 1966. Construction was completed the following year, and the cornerstone was laid on December 10, 1967. An interesting architectural feature of the church is that, when viewed from above, the structure is shaped like a cross. The new church building was dedicated on Jan. 28, 1968. In the years that followed, the congregation continued to grow and expand its ministries. A parsonage was built in 1976. Zion started a K through sixth grade school in 1978. My son Justin was in the first graduating class of 4 students. The exterior cross was added in 1980, followed by an addition of classrooms and offices in 1984, and another addition of classrooms in 1986. Over time, the K–6 school transitioned into a vibrant preschool ministry. 

In September 2023, Zion celebrated the 125th anniversary of its founding with a special worship service, an anniversary banquet, and a congregational carnival on the church grounds. It was a wonderful celebration of our rich history, our church families, and many friends. 

Mulch Spreading Workday

Mulch Spreading Workday hosted by the Trustees
Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 9 am.
Can you lend a hand? ... Many hands make light work .

Thanks in advance from the Board of Trustees! 

Summer Sunday School

Summer Sunday School 
Our Summer Sunday School program will start the week following our end of year party -- June 7 -- and run through August 30. This year's program is "3 in 1: Discovering Our Triune God" from Concordia. The summer program is geared mainly for the PreK-K and grades 1-3 children, but older children are welcome to attend and help with the younger children, or they are encouraged to attend the Pastor's adult Bible study. 

Bible Study: Sunday, May 10, 2026

Bible Study for Sunday May 10, 2026
Lead by Rev. Dr. Edward O. Grimenstein, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville, PA.
This Bible Study Focuses on: John 11:1-4, John 11:5-10, John 11:11-16, John 11:17-20, and John 11:21-27.
Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville, PA is Online at https://www.zlcb.org/

VIDEO: Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Complete Service

View the bulletin for Sunday, May 17, 2026
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Audio: Announcements, Readings & Sermon for Sunday, May 17, 2026

AUDIO: Announcements, Readings and Sermon for Sunday, May 17, 2026

Rev. Dr. Edward O. Grimenstein

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View the bulletin for Sunday, May 17, 2026
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
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First Reading -- Acts 1:12–26 
Then [the apostles] returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, 

“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’; 

and 

“‘Let another take his office.’ 

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

Epistle -- 1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11 
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And 

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. . . . 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the seventeenth chapter
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” 

Choir: Crown Him (8:00 a.m. service)

LWML Mite Challenge - May 2026

About This Mission Grant
The core of Phil’s Friends mission is based on Matthew 25:36, I was sick and you visited me. In the past 18 years, Phil’s Friends has sent nearly 60,000 care packages and more than one million Cards of Hope. This ministry supports anyone with cancer regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or income level. 

It costs $100 for one year to support a cancer patient. This total includes the care package, 12 Cards of Hope, and postage. The care packages are hand-decorated, and the contents are customized according to the age and gender of the recipient. They are filled with simple, practical comfort items that cancer patients can use during their treatments. Phil’s Friends is 100% donor supported. 

This grant will purchase supplies for care packages and Cards of Hope and will pay for shipping and postage to support 1,000 cancer patients for one year.

Facing Cancer Bravely & Beautifully
Linda St. Myers is a faithful supporter of Phil’s Friends. She was one of the first to volunteer at the Crown Point, IN Hope Center when it opened in 2017. Sadly, Linda, 66, is currently dealing with terminal brain cancer. She has a bright and beautiful spirit and loves volunteering when her health allows. “Volunteering at Phil’s Friends has become a passion of mine,” Linda said. “It’s just wonderful being here.” Here she is with Phil Zielke, founder of Phil’s Friends, standing before a wall of boxes she helped to decorate.

“Wall of Hope”
These are just a few of the 750 care packages that were decorated and packed at the church packing event in Illinois. The packages were sent all over the United States, including one to Hawaii. At this event, several church members even selected special items to go into a care package they would deliver personally.

“Love is Owl Around You.”
Even before a patient opens a box, they are encouraged! We’ve heard stories. There are some very clever and artistic people out there, and this is just one example of a how beautifully these boxes are decorated. This one will surely bring a smile to a cancer patient’s face.

“Box of Love and Compassion”
Each care package is filled with simple items that express love and compassion. We thought carefully about which items we would include each care package, ones that would meet practical needs and bring comfort on days when a patient is experiencing dark days.

“It’s a family affair.”
Phil and his two young sons, Graham and Hudson, speak at a recent church packing event in Illinois, where more than 550 church members packed 750 care packages over two days. Graham and Hudson share how the care packages, which are lovingly decorated with fun motifs, help to brighten a cancer patient’s day.

"Praying around the Wall of Hope"
After each off-site packing event, which often are at churches, volunteers gather around the "Wall of Hope" to pray over the boxes and for those who will receive them.